Propecia

Propecia is a prescription medication that contains the active ingredient finasteride, and is commonly used to treat hair loss in men. It works to prevent male pattern hair loss by reducing how much hair falls out and encouraging hair regrowth.

Propecia works by lowering the levels of a hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT) which causes hair to thin and not regrow when it naturally falls out. The active ingredient in Propecia, which is called finasteride, blocks the enzyme which converts testosterone to DHT,lowering the levels of DHT in your body. This treats male pattern baldness by slowing down and stopping further hair loss, and promoting regrowth.

How effective is Propecia?

Propecia has been clinically proven to be effective in preventing hair loss for 90% of men who use it.

How long does Propecia take to work?

Propecia starts working immediately but you will only see results after 3 to 6 months.

Propecia requires long-term use.

Does Propecia work for a receding hairline?

Yes, Propecia can slow hair loss and help thicken and even regrow hair on the hairline. However, this is not possible if you have already lost the hair follicles in this area.

Can Propecia regrow hair?

Yes, Propecia can help to regrow hair in some men if you still have functioning hair follicles. However, Propecia is most effective at slowing down hair loss, rather than regrowing it. It cannot help regrow your hair if you are completely bald, or if the hair follicles in areas such as your crown or hairline are inactive.

Does Propecia thicken hair?

Yes, Propecia can help to thicken hair.. DHT causes your hair follicles to shrink, making your hair thinner and weaker. By lowering the levels of DHT in your body, Propecia can stop this process, leading to thicker, stronger, and healthier hair.

You should take 1 Propecia tablet whole, once a day with water. You can take Propecia with or without food.

You can take your Propecia tablet at any time in the day, but ideally at a similar time every day.

How much Propecia to take

Each tablet contains the recommended 1 mg daily dosage of finasteride. Take the tablet once a day.

If you forget to take a Propecia tablet you should skip that day and take your next tablet when it is due the following day.

Do not take a double dose, it will not give you better results or make Propecia work faster.

If you take more tablets than you should, speak to your doctor straight away.

Can I take a higher dose for faster results?

No, you cannot take a higher dose of Propecia for faster or better results. It will not make Propecia work more quickly and you will not see better results.

If you take more than the recommended dosage you should speak to your doctor as this may mean you’re more likely to experience negative side effects.

How long do you need to take Propecia for?

Propecia is designed for long-term use. As a long-term treatment, its results are better when taken for several months or years. You may not see results until after 3 to 6 months.

You may not want to take Propecia forever. Some research into the health risks of long-term finasteride use suggests that indefinite use of Propecia may not be ideal. At some point, you may feel ready to stop taking it. Male pattern hair loss is a common condition and, for many, a natural process as we age. But, if you are unhappy with your current rate of hair loss, Propecia is an effective option.

What happens when I stop taking Propecia?

If you stop taking Propecia you will return to losing your hair, usually within 6-12 months after stopping treatment. After Propecia has left your system the levels of DHT are no longer being suppressed, meaning your hair will begin to thin and fall out again.

Propecia is a prescription-only medication. You can request a Propecia prescription from a trusted online doctor service like ZAVA. You can get Propecia from most pharmacies with a prescription.

You will need a private prescription for Propecia (finasteride) because it is not available on the NHS to treat male pattern hair loss.

Can I buy Propecia online?

Yes, you can buy Propecia online.

Propecia is a prescription-only medication so before you can buy it online you need a prescription from a licensed healthcare professional.

You can request a prescription from trusted online doctor services like ZAVA. ZAVA is monitored and regulated and guarantees that you will receive genuine, safe medication.

Getting Propecia with a prescription from ZAVA is quick and convenient.

1. Complete a short online medical questionnaire — Share details about your hair loss and health so our doctors can make sure Propecia is the right treatment option for you.
2. Order and pay online — Sign in or create your ZAVA account, select Propecia, and securely make your payment.
3. Doctor review and approval — a UK-licensed doctor will check your health information and approve your request if Propecia is safe and appropriate for you.
4. Fast and discreet delivery – Once approved, Propecia will be delivered quickly and discreetly to your home or a local post office for collection.

Can I buy Propecia over the counter?

No, Propecia is a prescription-only medication. Hair loss treatment options such as creams and shampoos applied directly to the scalp may be available in UK pharmacies.

Can I get Propecia on the NHS?

No, when taking Propecia (finasteride) for hair loss, you cannot get it on the NHS. Propecia is only available through private prescriptions from safe and regulated providers such as ZAVA Online Doctor.

Side effects from taking Propecia are uncommon. However, as with all medicines, you may experience some side effects.

Uncommon side effects (affecting up to 1 in 100 people) from Propecia include:

• less desire to have sex
• erectile dysfunction (be unable to get an erection)
• problems with ejaculation, such as a decrease in the amount of semen released during ejaculation

Rare side effects of Propecia that occur with unknown frequency include:

• swelling or tenderness of breasts
• palpitations (feeling your heartbeat)
• pain in the testicles
• depression and/or suicidal thoughts
• anxiety
• blood in your sperm
• persistent difficulty having an erection after you stop taking Propecia
• persistent decrease in sex drive after you stop taking Propecia
• persistent problems with ejaculation after you stop taking Propecia

If you experience any painful and rare side effects which do not go away, you should contact your doctor.

How long do Propecia side effects last?

Side effects from Propecia are usually temporary and are likely to go away with continued use after your body gets used to the medicine.

What to do if you get Propecia side effects

If you experience any side effects that do not go away, speak to your doctor.

Stop taking Propecia right away and get help immediately by going to A&E or speaking to your doctor if you experience the following:

• signs of a serious allergic reaction – breathing difficulties (breathlessness or wheezing) or swelling of the mouth, throat, tongue, face or lips.
• depression and/or suicidal thoughts – thoughts of wanting to end your life, low mood, loss of interest in activities you usually enjoy

For further information on the possible side effects of Propecia, refer to the patient information leaflet found inside your tablet packet or online.

Most men over 18 can safely take Propecia, but it may not be right for all.

Do not use Propecia if you:

• are under 18
• are a woman
• are already taking finasteride or dutasteride for a condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
• are allergic to any of the ingredients in the tablets
• have an intolerance to certain sugars (Propecia contains lactose)

Certain conditions or certain medication can interact with Propecia and make it less effective, or potentially unsafe.

Our doctors will make sure it is suitable for you to take Propecia before they prescribe it to you.

Propecia and pregnancy

Propecia (finasteride) should be avoided by pregnant women. Pregnant women should not handle Finasteride tablets especially if they are broken or crushed. If this does happen, speak to your doctor.

If your sexual partner is pregnant you should use a condom during sex or stop taking Propecia.

Other medicines and Propecia

Do not take Propecia if you are already taking finasteride or dutasteride for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Propecia is often taken by men also using shampoo or creams containing a medicine called minoxidil, another type of medicine for male pattern hair loss which is applied directly to the scalp. No information is available about the use of Propecia with minoxidil, Propecia is not thought to interact negatively with minoxidil and they can be used together.

Propecia does not usually affect other medicines. However, you should always tell your doctor or pharmacist if you take another medication, have recently taken or might take another medication when starting a prescription of Propecia.

While Propecia is an effective medication for hair loss, it isn’t the right option for everyone. Fortunately, there are a number of alternatives to help manage hair loss, such as other prescription medications, topical solutions like hair regrowth shampoos.

Finasteride is the generic version of Propecia, which means it is an unbranded medication that works in exactly the same way. Finasteride is usually available at a lower cost than Propecia.

For more information on the similarities and differences between Propecia and finasteride, here is a table:

Propecia (finasteride) is also made as a topical medication, meaning it can be a cream or a spray used directly on the scalp. Topical finasteride may be safe for both men and women. However, it is not yet licensed for use in the UK. Early controlled trials suggest that topical finasteride (sprays or creams) show promising results for preventing hair loss.

Another later study suggests that with finasteride sprays there is less likelihood of users experiencing the negative sexual side effects related to oral finasteride (Propecia tablets) such as reduced sex drive and erectile dysfunction because it’s applied directly to the scalp. However, this is disputed by research which found that topical finasteride does cause levels of DHT to decrease in the body and therefore may also cause negative sexual side effects, like oral finasteride.

More research is required before topical finasteride is likely to be licensed in the UK by the Medicines & Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA). If topical Finasteride does become available, it may be a good alternative to Propecia tablets. However, you may find that oral Propecia, the daily tablet, is a simpler and less time-consuming option.

Propecia vs minoxidil

Minoxidil is a hair loss treatment that works differently to Propecia to help treat male pattern baldness. While Propecia slows down and stops hair loss by lowering levels of DHT, Minoxidil promotes hair growth by stimulating hair follicles to enter their growth phase.

Because they work in different ways, it is safe to take Propecia and minoxidil together. This is commonly done as an effective combination to treat hair loss.

Minodixil is also available without a prescription, so you are able to get it over the counter at most UK pharmacies. It can come in the form of tablets, but is more often sold as a topical solution that is applied directly to the scalp - such as shampoos, creams, foams, or ointments.

Propecia vs dutasteride

Propecia and Dutasteride are similar medications, and work to stop hair loss in the same way - by blocking the production of DHT. Clinical studies have shown that Dutasteride is more effective at blocking DHT than Propecia, but it is not currently licensed in the UK for treating hair loss.

Other treatment options

Alternatively, if you do not want to take medication for your hair loss, there are other treatment options which might be appropriate for some men, such as:

• tattooing
• hair follicle transplants
• vitamin supplements
• wigs
• steroid cream or injections

You can usually get these types of treatments privately but you may be able to access them on the NHS if you qualify for financial help, or if you have a medical condition.